Sunday, November 25, 2012


Pumpkin Latte Anyone?

I don't know about you, but it is difficult to walk around and not notice all the specialty holiday drink signs starring at me this time of year. Many of my friends do not drink coffee, however for my friends who do I ask you to really think about what is in those latte's. 

Lots of calories (330 starbucks & 350 Dunkin Donuts),
sugar and other artificial flavors and sweeteners (flavored syrup used, not real pumpkin),
YES it is true!

The other issue is the cost, the average pumpkin latte costs about $4 (unless you get the gold member free drink at Starbucks).   Wow, if you purchased one every day that is $28 per week and lets say you did that for the months of October and November, that would be $224! 
Just think about what you would do with $224 if someone handed that to you?

Personally with Christmas coming up, I would buy myself something pretty awesome
......just kidding!
I can think of some fun stuff do with the kids and my honey for the holidays.

How about applying that new found cash to your health?
Make the decision to make your own lattes by using quality products and since you will be making this yourself, you will know exactly what is in it and what is NOT in it!

Here is the recipe:
  • 1/2 cup milk (I personally prefer soy or almond)
  • 1-2 scoops vanilla CinchProtein powder (use 2 for a creamier thicker latte)
  • 2 Tablespoons canned pumpkin (Gently heat ~ microwave for 40 seconds at a time, if you heat too fast it will clump)
  • Add 1/2 cup hot brewed coffee
  • For added sparkle, top with whipped cream and either pumpkin spice or nutmeg & cinnamon!

10-20 grams protein (1-2 scoops Cinch)
200 calories (depends on milk used)

What is your favorite fall or winter warm beverage?
Is there a seasonal favorite food or beverage/treat you would like to swap out for something healthier?

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

Marie-anne

aka. Mrs. Cratchit in “A Christmas Carol”

Come see us performing Live at The Aloha Theater
December 7th Thru 23rd

Sunday, November 11, 2012

The power of Alfalfa Complex

Research has shown the benefits of alfalfa are numerous. This is because of the many nutrients found in alfalfa. Just take a look at all the vitamins and minerals found in the alfalfa plant:

Vitamin A
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Niacin B3
Pantothenic Acid B5
Pyridoxine B6
Folic Acid B9
Cobalamin B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Biotin
Vitamin K
Choline
Inositol
Flourine
Iron
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Sodium
PABA
Calcium

Facts about alfalfa:
- Used by chinese medicine since the 6th century
- A perennial plant, often given to livestock and horses to make them stronger
- Made it's American appearance in 1736 and noted for use to ease digestion
- Native Americans used the seeds in their diets
- Paste made from the seeds is known to ease the pain of bites or stings or boils.
- Has been used by nursing mothers to stimulate the flow of milk

A 12 month study conducted by researchers from Osaka Kosei-Nenkin Hospital in Osaka, Japan proves that Alfalfa has improved liver & kidney function and also reduces: the bad cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke.


Personally, Alfalfa has improved my allergies and I greatly enjoyed the benefits of this amazing plant during the last trimester of all my pregnancies & labor. 


There are many alfalfa supplements on the market, however I only trust Shaklee. The main reason is because of all the testing Shaklee performs on many stages of the processing of every single product. The test at the farm, at the factory and the finished product. Shaklee has been known to stop the processing and distribution of products due to quality control. Keep i mind that it is not the FDA/Government telling them to do so. In fact the FDA/Government has never had to demand that Shaklee stop processing or distribution on any product, ever!

Don't believe me? Call the company contact info on any of the bottles you find at your local stores and request proof that: 
1. the product is exactly what is on the label (many companies either add other stuff or omit what is stated on the bottle)
2. written proof of any research clinical or medical done on this very product contained in the bottle
3. written documentation stating the safety and liability of the product contained within the bottle.
4. And just for kicks, as just how many medical journals they have been published in? Then let them know Shaklee has been in about 100!!!

Honestly, I usually don't get very far with other companies as many of the ones I personally contacted haven't responded!

At about .50 cents per day, Shaklee's Alfalfa Complex packs a big bang for your (half) buck! 

Off to rehearsal with Sarah today.

Have a great day,

Marie-anne

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Out Sick!


Ever wonder why some folks just seem to never EVER get sick and others seem to stay ill?

What gives? 
You eat  healthy, exercise regularly, drink plenty of water and even take vitamins, RIGHT?

Well folks, I'm here to tell that yes genetics may play a roll in how well your body deals with exposure to elements and viruses, but did you know that there is a way to increase your body's ability to warn off common viruses? 
We all have interferon. Here is the Wikipedia definition: Interferons (IFNs) are proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens such as virusesbacteriaparasites or tumor cells. They allow for communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that eradicate pathogens or tumors.
Disclaimer: Although I do not like to reference Wiki anything, the definition mirrored the medical dictionary definition however for us non MD's this is much easier to understand! However if you would like to try your hand at the medical dictionary, go HERE
Now that we have the legality of the definition out of the way, How can we increase our interferon you ask? Easy, consume a product discovered by a Nobel Prize winning Immunologist, Dr. Yasuhiko Kojima.
Video on Nutriferon

Dr. Kojima successfully isolated a combination of botanicals that naturally increase the body's production of it's own interferon.  Dr. Kojima's patented formula is exclusively available through the Shaklee Corporation. (Yeah, we rock!)
You can order nutriferon HERE
As a member the cost is about $1.25 per day! I say that is a great price to ward off virsus?



NutriFeron™ is a dietary supplement designed to support the immune system of healthy adult men and women.* Two caplets contains 500 mg of a patented, proprietary 2:1 powdered botanical extract derived from the flowers of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), the seeds of pumpkin (Curcurbita moschata), and Asian plantain (Plantago asiatica). 


Another way to help fight germs in general is using a disinfectant that kills the germs but not us humans. I have been using Shaklee's Basic G for the last 17 years when I did house/office cleaning and also for my personal home. I use this on everything: Floors, walls, counters, tables, toilet, sinks.....you get the point.

If you are sick, what do you do? Go to the doctors to get medicine? If it's the common cold or even the flu, medicine will NOT help. There is however a super charged nutritional supplement that can help relieve the symptoms. It's called Defend & Resist.  

Defend & Resist Complex features four clinically proven immune-supporting ingredients. The immunoactive  arabinogalactans in extracts of echinacea, black elderberry, and larch tree stimulate the body’s natural resistance, and zinc is known to support healthy immune function.

I have a powerful personal testimony abut how vitamins/supplements have greatly increased my body's natural ability to heal its self and to protect me from the dangers lurking in our environment. However I think it would be best to get the word of an actual M.D. instead of me.




Dr. Jennifer Wurst M.D. (a real doctor!) suggests taking a close look into the supplements you use and to make an educated decision because if you decide to take supplements that are unsafe, you do more harm than good. Please go HERE and read her post.

Until next time ~ be well,

Marie-anne